Wow… that’s a big number. Half-a-hundred. Half a century! Remember when you were just a kid and someone said they were 50 and you thought “Wow, she’s older than dirt!” – well, I’m officially there.
Today could have sucked the wind out of my sails or the jelly out of my donut but it didn’t. Some people may turn 50 and FREAK OUT, but not me. Age is just a number and while my knees often feel 50, in my mind I am still 36. If that’s me taking the denial train, then I’m all aboard. In fact, I kind of like my seat.
The Complete Package (my beloved husband) left this morning for a business conference and while his timing brought him a lot of guilt, I was prepared to spend the day alone shopping for new bras and treating myself to a lemon berry slush at Sonic. That might sound sad to some, but we haven’t really put a lot into celebrating birthdays around here since our daughter grew up and moved out on her own and I started seeing more gray hairs than brown in the mirror.
That is, until this morning when I received a text from my friend Kirsten at Comfortably Domestic while browsing the bra selection at Kohl’s. (That’s right, ladies… if you’re in the market for over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders, they’re on sale this weekend at Kohl’s. You’re welcome.)
Not to put too fine a point on it, but while I was shopping, Kirsten sent a text message that went something like this:
Her: Where are you?!? Why aren’t you on your computer like you’re supposed to be?!? How could you be so selfish?!? (Okay… that’s slightly embellished.)
So I responded with: “Yo! Why you all up in my biz-ness? I’m shopping for B-rahs!” (Not really, but I’m trying to illustrate a point so roll with it.)
So then she was all like: “Seriously. You need to get home and get online.”
And I was thinking: “Sweet! They must have picked a new pope!” (But I’m not catholic, and that was not it.)
As it turns out, my friends from Salad Week & Beer Week & Crepe Week & Sweets Week had pulled out all the stops and thrown me a virtual Happy 50th Birthday party. They were all watching their Twitter feeds for my reaction, and I was at Kohl’s picking out bras to take home and try on (because no one ever wants to try on bras in a public fitting room – am I right, ladies?)
Here’s what greeted me when I opened Kirsten’s blog:
As I read her recipe for Orange Creamsicle Pie, I began to grasp the scope of it all. There was the list of my blogging besties with all of the glorious things they created for my big day. Shit, y’all. Cue the waterworks and pass me the tissues. So. Much. Love. You know today had to be the day I failed to wear the waterproof mascara, right?
So I’ve been sitting at my computer for hours now, and I’m blown away by the thoughtfulness of others and the karma of timing and the gratitude that comes from having such amazing friends. Anyone who scoffs at bloggers for having imaginary internet friends will never get it. But I do, and I am forever grateful to these wonderful ladies whom I adore:
Kirsten at Comfortably Domestic – the suspected ring-leader who cooked up a childhood memory with Orange Creamsicle Pie
Megan at Country Cleaver – who baked up a lovely batch of Nutella Cream Cheese Turn-Overs
Allison at Decadent Philistines Save the World – who baked an old-fashioned classic Coca Cola Sheet Cake
Anne at From My Sweet Heart – who made this absolutely gorgeous (and pink!) Mexican Ice Cream
Mads at La Petite Pancake – who whipped up some TexMex love with her Cheesy Chorizo Dip
Carrie at Bakeaholic Mama – who had the worst week ever & still managed to whip up a Coconut Banana Brownie Pie
Kat at Tenaciously Yours – who made one of my favorite obsessions with her Guacamole
Madeline at Munching in the Mitten – who combined several of my favorites with her Fig, Fontina & Pecan Flatbread
Monica at The Grommom – who brought the Aloha all the way from Hawaii with Tropical Ice Cream
Katie at The Hill Country Cook – who baked a big ol’ pan of Texas heritage with her Dr Pepper Cake
Lauren at Climbing Grier Mountain – who put the fun back in mini pies with Key Lime Pies in Animal Cracker Crusts
And Beka at Kvetchin’ Kitchen – who brought the funny & the hooch with her Aged Manhattan Cocktail because nothing says “Let’s celebrate the old broad” like aged whiskey (love it!)
There are not enough words in the English language to convey how much these ladies mean to me. They made turning 50 unexpectedly fun. If you have a minute, please take the time to check out their fabulous recipes. Even better, bookmark their blogs and spend some quality time on each and you’ll see why I find them all so delightful. Much love to everyone and thank you for the sweet birthday wishes. I would gladly blow out a candle for each of you, but there are already enough to warrant a fire code violation in most all public venues.
Hugs to you all & thanks so much! – Jeanne (NanaBread)
Inside NanaBread's Head 